Intentional Under Fives Ministry: Insights and Strategies In this episode, Meagan and Eliza discuss their extensive experience and passion for ministry to children under five. They share practical insights and examples from their own work including the importance of creating a safe and engaging environment and the benefits of using play-based learning. They also provide advice on implementing a structured curriculum, building trust with parents, and fostering an inclusive church community. Addit...
Jul 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 91
In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Josh, a Youth and High School Ministry Advisor with YouthWorks in Sydney, speaks with Katie Stringer about Special Religious Education (SRE) in public high schools in New South Wales, Australia. Katie, who teaches Christian SRE to nearly 900 students each fortnight across multiple schools, shares her journey of getting involved in SRE and the unique opportunities and challenges this ministry presents. The discussion includes practical steps...
Jul 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 90
In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Al James sits down with Polly Butterworth to discuss her book, 'The Mythical Life of the Good Christian Girl.' Polly, a high school chaplain, offers insights into the pressures young Christian women face and how her personal experiences shaped the book. They delve into the process of navigating faith, societal expectations, and the myths surrounding 'good Christian girls.' Polly also shares strategies for addressing doubts and highlights th...
Jun 24, 2025•38 min•Ep. 89
In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Al James hosts experienced youth and children's ministry advisors Chris Jones, Josh Ord, Megan Gates, and Di Lucas for the second half of their Q&A session. They tackle current issues such as the impact of new social media legislation in Australia on youth ministries, effective strategies for welcoming newcomers, and ways to integrate youth into church families. The discussion also covers approaches to encouraging Bible reading among youth, ...
Jun 10, 2025•58 min•Ep. 88
Welcome back! This episode is a taster for House Conference and delves into the topic of the conference, "The Cost and the Joy of Sacrifice". It looks at what sacrificial discipleship means in children's and youth ministry, exploring the theological and practical aspects of living as 'a living sacrifice,' inspired by Romans 12:1. The conversation covers how to encourage young believers to live sacrificially in a culture that values individualism and how ministry workers and volunteers can model ...
May 27, 2025•58 min•Ep. 87
Q&A on Effective Youth and Children's Ministry In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Al James welcomes listeners to a special Q&A segment . Al, along with members of the Youth Works Ministry support team, including Chris Jones, Josh Ord, Di Lucas, and Megan Gates, tackles various questions related to youth and children's ministry. Topics discussed include partnering with parents, "optimal" youth group sizes, the balance between evangelism and discipleship, and effective lead...
May 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 86
Welcome back! In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, we share a seminar recorded live at the Mothers Union Sydney Seminar at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney and watched online by many others in regional Australia and accross the world. Al James speaks with Beth Braga about helping kids stand firm and stand out in their faith. They discuss key strategies for faith retention, including intergenerational discipleship, providing opportunities for young people to serve, and integrating fa...
Apr 30, 2025•46 min•Ep. 85
Welcome back! In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, host Al James talks with David Krebs, Sydney Metro Worker at Scripture Union NSW, about burnout in youth and children’s ministry. Drawing from David’s research and ministry experience, they explore what burnout is, how it shows up in ministry life, and what can help prevent it. The conversation touches on collaborative efficacy —trusting that God enables us to meet the demands of ministry—as well as the value of recognising limits,...
Apr 15, 2025•52 min•Ep. 84
Welcome back! This week we talk with Andy Stevenson and Lisa Vassalo, Andy is the head of Youthworks Ministry Support and has been involved in Youth Ministry for more than 20 years. Lisa is ssociate Pastor: Children’s Ministry Coordinator and Women’s Trainer at St Marks Pennant Hills . She oversees children’s ministry at St Mark’s and helps support and train female leaders. She's been at St Marks 9 years and has previously worked in youth and children's ministry in other church contexts. In this...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 83
Welcome back! This week we talk with Revd Dr Graham Stanton, Founding Principal of Youthworks College . Graham is currently Director of the Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry and Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne. He is also founder and director of Youth Ministry Futures In this episode, Al James sits down with Graham to explore the significance of long-term, full-time youth ministry within the national church in Australia. He shares his vision for Youth Ministr...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 82
Welcome back! The first in our new episodes for 2025, this week we talk with Tim Beilharz about his new book, The Child in God's Church . Tim is a leading children's ministry thinker and writer, is a kids pastor at Soul Revival Church and is a former advisor at Youthworks. In this episode he and Al James discuss his new book which delves into the theological, theoretical, and sociological foundations of children's ministry in the Australian context. Tim emphasizes the importance of integrating c...
Mar 05, 2025•40 min•Ep. 82
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 24009
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Feb 18, 2025•59 min•Ep. 24008
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Feb 11, 2025•46 min•Ep. 24007
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Feb 04, 2025•35 min•Ep. 24006
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Jan 28, 2025•55 min•Ep. 24015
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 24004
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Jan 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 24003
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Jan 07, 2025•21 min•Ep. 24002
📣 Exciting News for January and February! We’re kicking off the new year by bringing back some of our favourite episodes and diving into the vault to re-release classic discussions on youth and children’s ministry. Tune in every week for insightful and inspiring content! ✉️ Send Us a Question and Win a Book: Special Q&A Episode We’re thrilled to announce a giveaway of Tim Beilharz’s upcoming book , The Child in God’s Church: Faith-Formative Relationships that Grow Disciples Who Know, Love a...
Dec 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 24001
Welcome back! This weeks episode is the second in a two part series looking into the Incarnational Model of Youth Ministry. Last week, we had a fascinating presentation critiquing the incarnational model of youth ministry. It was presented by Tim Gough, Director of Llandudno Youth For Christ in Wales. Tim is a Youth Ministry academic, practitioner, and host of the blog www.youthworkhacks.com . This week, I’m joined by Matt Bartlett, my fellow Youth Ministry Advisor at Youthworks, and Tim Beilhar...
Dec 18, 2024•50 min•Ep. 81
In this episode, we dive into a fascinating discussion about the incarnational model of youth ministry —a framework that has likely influenced your work with children, youth, and young adults, even if you’re unfamiliar with its name. Our guest, Tim Gough, explores this influential model and its impact on ministryin a recently presented a seminar titled Critiquing the Incarnational Model of Youth Ministry at the Youthworks Theology Think Tank , a collaboration between Youthworks College and Youth...
Dec 11, 2024•35 min•Ep. 80
Welcome back! this week is the second of a two part series on how youth ministry can help young people foster a deep and genuine love for God. last episode you heard an edited version of a Youth Ministry seminar at the Reach Australia Conference on the topic. It explored two aspects of Love for God - that it is expressive and responsive - and the implications of these. This week we'll hear from Tim Scoular and Miki Sinfield from Norwest Anglican Church and Sam Foster from Richmond Anglican Churc...
Nov 12, 2024•20 min•Ep. 79
Welcome back! In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, we're diving into the first of a two part series on how youth ministry can help young people foster a deep and genuine love for God. This is at the heart of Youth Ministry! You'll hear an edited version of a Youth Ministry seminar at the Reach Australia Conference on the topic. It explores two aspects of Love for God - that it is expressive and responsive - and the implications of these. We'll look at practical tips on balancing ac...
Oct 29, 2024•35 min•Ep. 78
Welcome back to the Effective Ministry Podcast! In this episode of the Effective Ministry podcast, hosts Al James and co-host Harriet Connor from the Timeless Parenting podcast conclude a three-part series on identity, healthy sexuality, and gender identity. They speak with Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon co-authors of 'The Gender Revolution' with Rob Smith. The discussion delves into the biblical and biological perspectives on gender identity, Patricia shares her experiences in the field of gender...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 77
Welcome back to the Effective Ministry Podcast! Join hosts Al James and Anne Cunningham (Timeless Parenting Podcast) for part two of a three-part series on identity, healthy sexuality, and gender identity. In this episode, Al and Anne speak with Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon about the healthy sexuality from Biblical Christian perspective. Patricia, a Christian sexologist and author, and her son Kamal, a Presbyterian minister with a master's in biblical sexual ethics, share their collaborative app...
Oct 01, 2024•46 min•Ep. 76
Welcome back to the Effective Ministry Podcast! The first in a three part series on Identity, Sexuality and Gender, in this episode, Al James sits down with Simon Swadling to explore the phrase 'finding your identity in Christ.' They discuss the pressures young people face around identity, why the phrase might be more harmful than helpful, and its lack of biblical backing. Simon shares his thoughts on how the phrase can promote individualism and a disconnect between our spiritual and physical li...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 75
Tim Beilharz has left the building! :-( And an announcement about a 3 part special on "Identity" starting next Wednesday: 1) What's wrong with finding your identity in Christ - Simon Swadling - Wednesday 18th September 2) Sexuality - Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon - in Partnership with Growing Faith Timeless Parenting Podcast - Wed 2nd October 3) Gender - Patricia and Kamal Weerakoon - in Partnership with Growing Faith Timeless Parenting Podcast - Wed 9th October...
Sep 11, 2024•2 min
In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Al James sits down with Tim Beilharz, a much loved and appreciated children's ministry advisor who is finishing up in his role at Youthworks after 12 years. Tim shares his experiences, his thoughts on the future of youth and children's ministry, and talks with Al about topics like the importance of intergenerational relationships, the necessity of communal and participatory church life, and recognizing child faith as real, holistic, and ad hoc (...
Sep 03, 2024•59 min•Ep. 74
How to Start an Effective Youth Ministry from Scratch | Effective Ministry Podcast In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, we discuss how to start an effective youth ministry in your church. Join us as we talk with Danny Mitchell, the youth and young adults pastor at Ann Street Presbyterian in Brisbane, and a former youth ministry network consultant with the Presbyterian church in Queensland. We delve into the importance of discipling young people, the steps to consider in starting a ...
Aug 20, 2024•55 min•Ep. 73
